KHS: Picking-efficiency increased by 70 %
KHS GmbH, an international manufacturer of filling and packaging systems, demonstrates an impressing increase of picking efficiency by retrofit.
Reason to start the project was a simulation run by w3logistics. The Dortmund based software company, a partner of KHS since 2005, identified the pre zone of the existing high rack and small parts' storage area as a bottleneck.
Only three months were necessary to renovate the warehouse in cooperation with SSI Schäfer Noell GmbH: The bottleneck, a cross sliding car, was replaced by a system of conveyors and buffer places. New motors, gearboxes and frequency converters provide higher speed, saving energy at the same time.
w3logistics realized the material flow management and supported KHS as a consultant. The project's outstanding challenge was to avoid any interruptions of the usability of the warehouse, which is used e.g. for the worldwide spare part supply. The project team also handled this job: Due to a perfect preparation it took only a weekend to switch from the old to the new system.
"The project's success can be measured," says Hans-Peter Duve, project manager of KHS, "on a weekly basis we increased the picking output by 70 % – and new technology and software offer even greater opportunities in the near future!"